G20: Putin will not attend summit in Bali in person

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 in Bali next week. According to the Russian embassy in Indonesia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia.

"President Putin's program is currently being drawn up. He may participate virtually," said Yulia Tomskaja, head of protocol at the Russian embassy in Indonesia.

The annual meeting of the group of major industrialized and emerging countries (G20) will take place on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali on 15 and 16 November. Until now, it was unclear whether Putin would sign physically or virtually. The presence of Russia is sensitive. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky had previously called the G20 to exclude Russia.

Yesterday Russia's Defense Ministry said its troops are preparing to withdraw from Kherson, the only regional Ukrainian capital Russian troops managed to capture since their full-scale invasion began in February.

(VIV)

_{© BELGA PHOTO (ADEK BERRY / AFP)}